Secession: a word in search of a meaning

The word ‘secession’ is often viewed negatively. States are generally, and understandably, opposed to secession. The purpose of this chapter is to suggest and, through an analysis of these other definitions, justify an alternative definition. Secession is thus associated with leaving or withdrawing from some place. Broadly speaking, secession can be viewed as withdrawing from an association or organisation. Whatever the merits of these competing theories, it is widely accepted that, in the context of secession at least, recognition of the seceded state by other states has at least some part to play in its creation. The issue of opposition of the host state as a necessary element of the definition of secession is most extensively canvassed by Crawford. The chapter’s definition of secession flows from arguments which reject the relevance, in either the colonial or non-colonial contexts, of issues relating to the consent of the host state and the use or threat of force by secessionist movements.